Prometheus by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Analysis

"Prometheus" is a poem by Goethe that speaks about the author's hatred towards Zeus while making accusations and defiance. Although this poem is set to classical times, the wording allows us to believe Goethe is, perhaps, talking about himself and addressing the Judeo-Christian God.

"Prometheus" consists of seven stanzas with varying lengths. The poem totals 63 lines. It does not rhyme.

Poem

PrometheusBy Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Cover your heaven, Zeus,
With foggy clouds,
And try yourselve, like a boy
Who beheads thistles,
On oak-trees and mountain-tops;
You still must leave
my Earth to me,
And my hut, which you did not build,
And my stove,
Whose glow
You envy me.
I know no poorer creatures
Under the sun, than you, Gods!
You barely sustain yourself
From sacrificial offerings
And exhalated prayers
Your Majesty
And would wither, were
Not children and beggars
Hopeful fools.
When I was a child,
And did not know where from or to,
I turned my seeking eye toward
The sun, as if beyond there was
An ear to hear my complaint,
A heart like mine,
To have mercy with the embattled one.
Who helped me
Against the Titans' might?
Who saved me from Death,
From Slavery?
Did you not accomplish it all yourself,
Holy glowing Heart?
And glowed, young and good,
Deceived, thanks for salvation
To the sleeping one up there?
Shall I honour you? What for?
Have you softened the pains,
Ever, of a burdened one?
Have you silenced the tears,
Ever, of an anguished one?
Was I not forged into a Man
By almighty Time
And eternal Fate,
My masters and yours?
Do you imagine
I should hate life,
Flee to the desert,
Because not every
Flowering dream bloomed?
Here I sit, forming humans
In my image;
A people to be like me,
To suffer, to weep,
To enjoy and to delight themselves,
And to not attend to you –
As I.